Before I get into the compilation–here’s last week’s if you need to know the premise–I’d like to congratulate India.Arie for having the #1 album in the country. Way to go!
And for those of you that would like to hear what India would be like if she actually made good music–rather than stuff people feel compelled to enjoy because it falls in line with their political dispositions–go check out Tracy Chapman’s amazing, eponymous debut album. In fact, I wonder how many of these India.Arie fans have heard that record. The way I see it, it might take hearing Tracy kill it for an entire album to understand just how lacking Arie is.
But lemme stop dumping on that poor lady. Making money without sellin dope is okay with me.
Artist–Barry White
Song–I’m Gonna Love You A Little More
Lemme guess…the bassline just ran through your head. If it didn’t, you’ve just never heard the song.
Artist–Beach Boys
Song–Good Vibrations
But let’s be real. If the police pass by your door and hear this song blaring through the door, walls or windows, I’m pretty sure they’ll have probable cause to search your pad. Call it a hunch.
Artist–Big Pun
Song–I actually have no idea
Just wanted to illustrate that Pun’s best moments were absolutely incredible to the point that they’re almost indistinguishable in quality.
Artist–Bootsy Collins
Song–I’d Rather Be With You
This is near the top of any list I can think of.
Artist–Bubba Sparxxx
Song–Back in the Mud
You gotta give Bubba this…the ability to keep up with that beat and say consistently incredible shit deserves whatever praise you have to give.
Artist–Cee-Lo Green
Song–Spend the Night In Your Mind
Cee-Lo’s begun to wear on me, and he’s a weird lil nigga. But this song is remarkably convincing considering who it’s coming from.
Artist–DMB
Song–Gray Street
But only the Lilly White Sessions version. The live ones are good, too, come to think of it.
Artist–De La Soul
Song–Stakes is High
This is a really, really tough call. But putting Dilla on the boards and some inspired verses from Pos and Whateverhteotherdude’scallinghimselfthesedays was so ridiculous that it overcome putting Dilla on the mic. No small feat, pimpin.
Artist–Field Mob
Song–It’s Hell
I extoll the virtues of this one regularly. Bobo, tell em what I’m talkin bout.
Artist–Funkadelic
Song–Maggot Brain
His name is Eddie Hazel. He played one of the greatest guitar solos ever on this song. Find out about him.
Artist–Gangstarr
Song–The Militia
Ummm, let’s just say that I think a rugged chap that raps under many aliases would appreciate this choice. It really is incredible, though.
Artist–Goodie Mob
Song–Thought Process
You’ll have a hard time finding three harder consecutive verses harder than Gipp, Cee-Lo, and Andre on this one.
Artist–Isaac Hayes
Song–The Look of Love
“I can hardly wait to hold you/feel my arms around you/how long I have waited/waited just to love you/now that I have found you/don’t ever go.”
I know this is a cover, so I don’t give Isaac credit for the words. I give him credit for the obvious passion–but still smooth–and that spectacular arrangement.
Artist–Isley Brothers
Song–Voyage to Atlantis
This is a really tough choice. So tough that I had to go to the statistics to figure it out. The verdict–“Atlantis” is more, ummm, productive than even “Between the Sheets.”
Artist–Jackson(s) (5)
Song–Can You Feel It
I’ll take it over any non-Mike-solo project. That bass and the way Mike hits the track are perfect.
Artist–Janis Joplin
Song–Little Girl Blue
I’m not that well-versed in her catalog, bu tI just wanted to bring a lil attention to an underappreciated record.
Artist–Jill Scott
Song–He Loves Me
But I have to admit that I wonder if he’s really the most loving man on earth or he’s got the most incredible game on Earth.
Artist–Johnny Guitar Watson
Song–Tarzan
Just because the chorus is absolutely absurd.
Artist–Kanye West
Song–Never Let Me Down
Like it or not, Kanye’s a bad, bad man. It does help to put two Jigga verses on here, if you’re Kanye.
Artist–Lou Rawls
Song–Dead End Street
If you ever wanted to know what the city of Chicago sounds like, put this one on. How can you not love Lou’s voice?
Artist–Luther Vandross
Song–Bad Boy/Having a Party
I don’t adore Luther like a lot of people, but I can damn sure tell you he was a bad, bad man. This one bangs for the same reason almost all of this joints bang–the bass line is where it’s at.
Artist–O’Jays
Song–You Got Your Hooks In Me
This song is really pathetic, actually, but you’re lying if you say you ain’t been there.
Artist–Paul Simon
Song–Still Crazy After All These Years
I have to admit I can identify with the last verse very well. Not sure what to make of that.
Artist–Pearl Jam
Song–Black
I really wonder what life’s like for you when you realize your most marketable skill is conveying pain and dismay. Gotta be kinda like being a dentist or something.
Artist–The Police
Song–So Lonely
People tend to forget Andy in guitar discussions. This solo is incredible.
Artist–UGK
Song–Take It Off
Potentially the greatest strip club song since “Moments in Love.”
And I still missed a grip. Til another day.
16 thoughts on “The Compilation Resumes”
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I don’t need any help looking/sounding whiter than a ghost, but then you have to go and put up a list where the only comment I have is about the Dave Matthews Band. Thanks.
#1, it’s the Lillywhite Sessions, “Lilly White”. Normally I wouldn’t bitch, but think about that for a second.
#2, the live version is far and away superior to either studio version. I can say that having heard it live in person and on a recording. I’m also not a live music fan, if that says anything.
And that’s a curious choice of Police tracks…but most of what they did is cool, so oh well.
make that …NOT “Lilly White”.
Definitely feel the Jill Scott joint…and Mel Torme has nothing on Lou Rawls, regardless of what the judge on “Night Court” says.
I agree with Kirk, interesting choice of Police songs. You already know how I feel about your girl India. My Mom stole that first Tracy Chapman album from me, and is still a big fan of her’s to this day. I’d Rather Be With You – what can you even say about it that does it justice? Damn, Bootsy. A few more of mine to think about:
The Police – King of Pain (but I’m a fan of most of their stuff)
Big Pun – It’s So Hard (the adlibs on this joint are hilarious-just hearing the beat drop makes me smile), but you’re right, it’s hard to choose
The Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride To the Pharcyde in its entirety & Runnin’ from Labcabincalifornia
Beastie Boys – Paul Revere
Creedence – Down on the Corner & Long As I See The Light
Bo,
Did you get a chance to check out that new Field Mob album? What did you think of it?
I’m there with ya Bo, cept for a couple:
DMB- I have to go with Crush…incredibly sexy, smoooooooooth song.
Pearl Jam- Betterman
Jackson Five- Dancing Machine
ITA about Pun- if you think of one good one, you think of 4 or 5….can’t decide- although 100% gets me going just from the sample alone.It gets a spin at every party I throw.
But Steph, with Creedence- Fortunate Son is my joint….it’s pretty powerful.
I’d go with “Fortunate Son.” And sorry, but “Betterman” always felt like a “Black” rehash to me.
Bo,
Phyllis Hyman’s “Somewhere In My Lifetime” is one of the best songs ever sung. The song was produced by Barry Manilow. You can feel Phyllis Hyman’s pain as she is singing this song.
Andy let’s not forget about Stevie Wonder’s “Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer” or Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful”.
Great list.
I love “I’m Gonna Love You A Little More,” but “Never Gonna Give You Up” deserves mention for the ridiculous intro.
I can’t roll with you on “Good Vibrations.” I just don’t dig sunny, cheerful BBs. Their more somber stuff is much better. I’d say most of the joints from Pet Sounds (but definitely not “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”)
I’m no fan of Bubba Sparxxx, but Timbaland surprised the hell out of me with the sample on “The Takeoff” intro.
To me, songwriting and Cee Lo don’t really mix. He is a monster when going to church on a hook, but I rarely feel his own songs.
I don’t get your “Stakes Is High” comment. It makes it seem like Jaydee had a (bad) verse on it, but that the greatness of the Plugs overshadowed it. Incredible song, by the way: “Life can get all up in yo ass, baby, you better work it out.” I always smile when I hear that line. It never fails.
As for Funkadelic, I appreciate the guitar solo classics, but I’m also partial to “I Got a Thing, You Got a Thing,” “No Head, No Backstage Pass” would be right there, but the content, even for Funkadelic, is too much.
Never dug “Militia” or “DWYCK” for that matter. It’s all about “Mass Appeal,” “Take It Personal,” “The ? Remains,” even “Betrayal” w/ Face.
Someone please give India her teeth back. Bo just slapped them into oblivion.
Only songs I must make the grimace face on is Good Vibrations, And if I NEVER hear ‘Can You Feel It’ again, it will be too soon. I like just about every other song on that lp better than that one.
Kudos for mentioning Militia. I had alot of people looking at me funny for diggin that one. But whatever. Like that ever stopped me. So you’d drop Beastie Boys…but no Radiohead?
I listened to India in a whole new light after you..uh…critiqued her.
I see your point. I still like her…but all your points were valid.
Gangstarr – Manifest
A few notes:
I glad to see India getting some props after always getting pimped Alicia “My Future Baby Momma” Keys. See the 2002 Grammys.
In my opinion, “Can You Feel It” is one of the most underrated songs ever. If I ever start playing around with this sound editing software I am going to sample parts of it and create one of the best hip hop beats of all time.
I know Issac Hayes didn’t write “The Look of Love” but he made that song his own. That is a “guaranteed to get you some” song.
As far as UGK is concerned, I think that “Let Me See It” is a better song for skrippers than “Take It Off”. My personal favorite UGK song is “Wood Wheel”.
Man, seems like every time I leave a comment on this blog, it involves UGK. That must make me a stan …
You know I had to comment on “It’s Hell”. It’s still to this day the only rap song that makes me want to tear up and i’ve never personally experienced any of the things that they’re speaking on. The third verse is just that vivid. I listen to it one day in the car with my girl and she was totally speechless by the time it was over. I love that song because it kinda puts misogynistic hip hop in perspective. “I heard a choke through the wall/ she gagging and chokin’/ eleven years old and i don’t need to be seein this shit/ while on my tape deck 8-ball talking about beatin a bitch” That’s real.
Re: “The Look of Love”…I actually prefer Dusty Springfield’s version to Isaac’s. Bacharach is an awesome writer, though, you can’t really go wrong.
CDogg – Madonna recently sampled “Can You Feel It” on “Sorry” off of her latest album. It’s just alright. The problem you face when sampling the most well known parts of songs that are so awesome in their own right is that the new composition often sounds like a watered-down rip-off. I much prefer when someone samples an obscure part of a song and utilizing better than the original…i.e. “Are You My Woman”/”Crazy In Love.”
You wrong about the India diss. I haven’t paid much attention to Tracy lyrically, but vocally – although their styles differ – India kills Tracy. Period.
I was watching the BET Awards with some friends and the show reached the tribute to Chaka Khan. Chaka squeezed herself into a costume and commenced singing. Yolanda Adams came out there and angered her base by singing something secular. Then another singer came out and someone said, “Hey, who’s the dude in the dress?”
I replied: “That’s not a dude, that’s India.Arie!”